Bell Bottom High: Book 1: Freshman Fears

by B. J. Williams

  “Oh, hush, both of you,” I demanded, poking out my bottom lip. “Don’t think about asking me to braid your hair this weekend.” I knew how to hit them where it hurt.

  Joshua and Tyrone eyed each other for a second. Then Tyrone said, “Oh, we were just joking with you. Geez, can’t you take a joke?”

  “That’s right,” Joshua chimed in. “You know we love our little Reecy’s Peanut Butter Cup.” They both doubled over laughing.

  I wanted to scream how much I hated both of them, but I didn’t have a chance to respond to their stupidity. The bus was stopping right in front of our house, and I was the first one to make a dash for it.

  *

  “Good morning, Reecy, can we talk?”

  “Sure, Henry, what’s going on?” I’d just stepped off the bus and was heading for the cafeteria to see if they had any breakfast left. My stomach was growling with hunger pains.

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about my sister. I’ve been trying to piece together everything that happened before she left. And one thing keeps popping into my mind.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, stopping in my tracks. My heart almost stopped beating at the same time. I held my breath, waiting for Henry to respond.

  “That day I gave you two a ride home. Where did you say y’all were coming from?”

  My mind went blank. I couldn’t remember the lie we’d told two weeks ago. “What did you say?” I asked, releasing my breath. I needed at least another second to process his question.

  “I asked you about the day I gave you a ride home. Remember, I picked you and Lena up on the street. You two were walking home together.”

  “Oh, yeah, I’d almost forgotten about that. I—I ran into her at the dollar store. I had to exchange a pair of jeans.”

  “Um-huh, and exactly where did you see Lena?”

  “She was leaving the dollar store about the same time as I was. Anyway, we started talking and since we were headed in the same direction, we walked together. Then you came along and picked us up.”

  “Um-huh, you see, here’s the thing: I don’t remember seeing Lena carrying a bag in her hand. What did she buy at the dollar store?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. But maybe she put it in her book bag or something. I—I don’t know, Henry. Look, I’ve got to go get some breakfast before the bell sounds.”

  “Thanks, Reecy, if you think of anything else, please let me know. I’m really worried about my sister. Somebody at this school has got to know more than they’re telling, and I aim to find out who it is.”

  I rushed away from Henry, sighing with relief that he hadn’t asked me more questions. Lord, please help me through the day.

  By the time I made it to the crib that afternoon, the weather had cleared up and the sun was starting to shine through the clouds. Yellow leaves were dancing all around my feet. On windy days like this, the rancid odor blowing from the paper mill scorched my nostrils.

  I rushed through the front door to a ringing telephone and hurried to answer it. When I picked up the receiver from the wall telephone in the hallway, I was slightly out of breath. “Hello, Jones residence.”

  “Hey, Reecy, is that you?”

  “Yes, this is Reecy Jones; who’s speaking?”

  “Reecy, it’s me, Lena, what’s happening?”

  “Lena, oh my God, I can’t believe it’s you!” I exclaimed, feeling scared and happy at the same time. “Girl, where are you? Are you all right?” I asked, trying to calm my pounding heart.

  “I’m at the shelter in Shreveport, and I’m doing fine. Everyone here is really nice to me, but I miss home. I miss sleeping in my own bed.”

  “I’m so happy to hear from you and to know that you’re okay. The whole town has been talking about you and wondering what happened. But I haven’t said a word.”

  “Oh, thank you, Reecy,” Lena said, beginning to sob.

  “Lena, why are you crying? I thought you said everything was fine.”

  “The people here are nice, but I’m really scared. I’ve never been away from my parents before,” she said between sobs.

  “I’m so sorry. I wish you would just come on back home. Your parents will understand about the baby. It’ll be all right, please come home.”

  “No, I’ve got to stay here and have the baby. I can’t face my family and now that the whole town knows I’ve run away, I’ll never have any peace. Please pray for me, Reecy. I’ll call you again if I can.”

  My heart dropped, I closed my eyes, and said, “Bye, Lena. Thanks for letting me know that you’re okay.” I tried to hang up the phone. I hadn’t realized that my whole body was trembling until I went to replace the receiver back on its base.

  Taking several deep breaths, I started down the hall to check on Grandma. Just as I reached the doorway, there was a knock at the front door. Turning around on my heels, I walked towards the front of the house.

  I peeped through the keyhole and almost wet myself. There was a huge uniformed policeman standing on our porch, peeping back at me. Leaving the safety chain on, I cracked the door and tried not to crack my voice. “Hello, officer, may I help you?

  The tall white gentleman identified himself. “Yes, I’m Sheriff Mackerel. Are your parent’s home?” There was no mistaking the authority in his voice. I was instantly reminded of the nasty officer I’d encountered at the Dollar General Store last week.

  “No sir, but my grandmother is here. She’s in her room sleeping.”

  “May I come in, please? I need to ask y’all a few questions.”

  “Reecy, who is that at the door?”

  I turned around at the sound of Grandma’s frail voice, and said, “Hi, Grandma, it’s the sheriff. He wants to speak with us.”

  “Well, let him in,” Grandma stated, reaching for the arm of the recliner. “I’ll sit right here while we talk.”

  I unhooked the door, and opened it wide enough for Sheriff Mackerel to enter. He seemed much larger as he stepped through the front doorway than he did through the peephole. I swear, he had to be related to Big Foot. His massive presence caused me to shudder. I prayed that he wasn’t mean like Officer Nasty as I willed my legs to follow behind his commanding figure.

  “Hello, how’re you doing today?” He shook Grandma’s hand and introduced himself again. His voice sounded friendly, but his full, round face remained stern. Everybody knew the sheriff didn’t come to this side of town unless there was a serious situation. I was just waiting for the bomb to drop.

  “Oh, I’m doing pretty well,” Grandma replied, glancing up at the sheriff. “Have a seat,” she said, motioning for him to sit down. “What brings you by here today?”

  “I’m still investigating the disappearance of that missing girl, Lena Turnipseed. I questioned most of the kids at school this week, but we didn’t get to speak to everyone. So now I’m going around the neighborhood trying to see if anyone saw anything suspicious on the day she disappeared,” the sheriff stated, pulling out a pen and a pad from his shirt pocket. He sat on the sofa opposite Grandma, clicked his pen, and stretched out one of his long legs.

  I thought my head was going to explode. I had to get out of the room quick. Lena was the last person in the world I wanted to talk to him about. “Excuse me, but I need to run to the restroom for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

  I took slow deliberate footsteps down the hall while my heart raced way ahead of me. Closing the bathroom door, I splashed cold water on my face. I couldn’t believe the sheriff had shown up just minutes after I’d spoken with Lena. Lord, what am I going to do now?

  Returning a few minutes later, I took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa from where Sheriff Big Foot sat. I was so scared, I was about to jump out of my brown skin. I wanted to bolt for the front door, but somehow I managed to keep from shaking while the sheriff and Grandma exchanged pleasantries.

  “Well, you can ask us anything you want. My grandbaby and I are here every afternoon around this time.”

  “All right then. Let me
start with you, young lady. What is your name?” he asked.

  “Ah, my name is Reecy Jones.”

  “And you’re in the ninth grade at Bell High School, is that correct?”

  “Yes, sir, it is.”

  “Do you have any classes with Lena Turnipseed?”

  “No, sir, I don’t.”

  “Where were you last Friday after school?”

  “Last Friday, Grandma was in the hospital so I came home for a few minutes with my best friend, Joyce Campbell, packed a few things, and went over to her house. Then, we went to the dance together later on that evening.”

  “Okay, let me write that down,” he said, taking notes on a small pad in his left-handed scribble. “Now did you see Lena at the dance Friday night?”

  “No, sir, I don’t remember seeing her. But there were a lot of kids there. The gym was packed with students, and it was kind of dark inside.”

  “All right, that’s all I need to know for now. If I have any more questions, I’ll be back. Thanks for your cooperation.” He closed the notepad, clicked the pen again, and returned them to his shirt pocket.

  I walked Sheriff Big Foot to the door, hoping he wouldn’t ask another question like everybody’s favorite detective, Colombo, always did. Flooded with relief as he tramped down the porch steps, I closed the door and locked it.

  “Grandma, let me help you,” I said, reaching out a hand to assist her.

  “Thank you, baby, I want to go sit in my room. I’m missing all of my stories.”

  I walked Grandma to her bedside, fluffed up her pillows real good, and helped her climb into bed. “You stay right here, Grandma, I’m going to get your medicine and a snack. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay, baby.”

  I walked out of the room as fast as my feet would move. I was thankful that the sheriff hadn’t asked any specific questions regarding my friendship with Lena. It was going to take me a few minutes to get my head back together after the way I’d been tripping over the sheriff’s little visit. I was still praying that this whole nightmare would end so I could wake up and get back to the normal life of a teenager.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Reecy, why didn’t you tell the sheriff you know where Lena is?” Grandma asked between bites of Saltine crackers. She never turned to observe the startled look on my face. The patch had been removed from her left eye, but it was still slightly swollen. Even with one bad eye, Grandma saw everything that happened in that house.

  “Wh—what are you talking about, Grandma?” I stuttered, fighting the panic rising in my chest. Just when I thought it was okay to breathe, I found myself paralyzed with fear. I almost dropped the glass of iced water I was holding. How could grandma know my secret?

  “Now calm down. Come over here, and sit down on my bed,” Grandma replied, patting the covers.

  I stared at her with an opened mouth. Like a zombie, I crept to the side of her bed and sat down. I was scared out of my mind trying to think about what to say next.

  “Listen, sweetie, when you came to me the other day asking me if I’d ever betrayed a friend, I should have known what you were getting at. But when I heard you talking to Lena on the telephone this afternoon, I realized what happened.”

  “You heard me, Grandma? You heard me on the telephone with Lena?”

  “Yes, I heard you. And I just praise the Lord that she’s all right.”

  “Grandma, you heard me on the telephone, and you didn’t tell the sheriff?”

  “No, I didn’t say anything in front of the sheriff. I don’t want this to get any messier than it already is. We should be able to handle this amongst ourselves. We don’t need the law involved in this situation,” Grandma said, sitting up as straight as she could.

  Crossing her hands in her lap, Grandma continued, “Now, tell me, what are you going to do, young lady?”

  I looked at Grandma and asked myself that question for the hundredth time that day. I wanted to keep my word to Lena. It wasn’t like me to betray anyone. But keeping this secret had been stressing me out and tearing my heart apart. In fact, there was some sense of relief now that Grandma knew what I was dealing with.

  “I don’t know,” I sighed. “What do you think I should do, Grandma? I gave Lena my word that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

  “I know you did, sweetie. And I admire you for trying to keep your word as long as you have. But this is a special situation. Lena is a minor, and her parents deserve to know where she is,” Grandma said, stressing her concern.

  Shaking my head, I replied, “My word is my bond. No one will ever trust me again if I tell on Lena. And she’ll probably hate me for the rest of her life.”

  “Think about this, Reecy. If anything happens to that child while she’s away, how will you feel? What will you say to her parents then?”

  “What do you mean, Grandma? Nothing’s going to happen to Lena, she’s in a safe place.”

  “You don’t know if that place is safe or not. Baby, can you guarantee that she’s not going to get raped or killed wherever she is right now?”

  I hadn’t thought of that. But I had a quick comeback. “No, I can’t guarantee anything. But this place has a good reputation. We read about it in the newspaper and everything,” I replied, reaffirming my position. Although I presented a good front to Grandma, I was beginning to have some doubts and had to wonder if Lena really was in a safe place.

  Shaking her head, Grandma closed her eyes before speaking. “I know you don’t want to betray your friend. Your parents have taught you that it’s wrong to betray the trust of a friend. And I agree with their teachings. However, we’re talking about two lives right now. If you feel like you’re doing the best thing by keeping a secret and any harm comes to that pregnant child, then you’ll have two souls on your conscience to deal with.”

  “Grandma, I just can’t. I can’t do it,” I said, standing up. I rubbed my sweaty palms against my clothes. “You just don’t understand. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t tell.”

  Holding up one hand, Grandma said, “Just sit back down for a minute, please. I just have to say one more thing, and then I’ll leave you alone. You can do whatever you want to do.”

  I was ready to bolt from the room. I knew Grandma was about to impart some wisdom to me whether I wanted to hear it or not. So I respected her wish by easing back down on the bed. I told myself that it didn’t matter what she said, I was not betraying Lena for any reason.

  “You know, when I was a child, things were different. We didn’t have nice houses and nice cars like you all have today. Wherever we went, we had to walk to get there or ride a horse. Thank, God, we don’t have to do that today.”

  I fidgeted in my seat. I loved Grandma, I really did, but I wasn’t in the mood for one of her stories about the “ole days” today. I wished she would get on with it so I could get out of there. What did an ancient horse ride have to do with me?

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Grandma said, reaching for my hand. “I’m just an old lady full of stories. But what I was trying to say is how things were so different when I was a child. You know, children had to stay in their place. We weren’t allowed to talk to our parents the way young people talk to their parents today,” she began, patting my hand with hers.

  “Anyway, I have one childhood memory that I’ve never shared with you,” Grandma said, turning her head to cough. She covered her mouth and coughed several times before turning to face me again. I could tell she was feeling weak, but Grandma was determined to tell me something.

  “When I was twelve-years old, my sister, Maggie, was fourteen. And one day, she confided in me that she’d been fooling around with one of the boys in the neighborhood, and she was pregnant. Well, she made me promise that I wouldn’t tell anybody. She said that our father would whip her and then send her off to live with relatives up north or somewhere. And of course, I loved my sister. I didn’t want her to be beaten or have to leave home. I was so scared that I promised her I wouldn’t d
are tell. It would be our secret until she figured out what to do.”

  By then, I had scooted to the edge of the bed. Hopefully, I was going to hear the story about my aunt. Grandma was creeping me out with the faraway look she had in her eyes. I’d seen her look strange before whenever she mentioned her dead sister, but never this intense. It seemed like Grandma had suddenly been transported to another place in time, a place where she really didn’t want to go, as she continued to share her story. I could feel the tension rising in her body with every word that crossed her thin lips. “What happened, Grandma?”

  “About a month after my sister told me that she was pregnant, Mama began to suspect that something was going on. She outright asked Maggie if she was with child and of course, Maggie strongly denied everything. Then the next day, Mama got me by myself and asked me if I knew anything about Maggie being pregnant. Well, I was so scared of betraying my sister and worried about what Daddy would do to her if he found out that I lied and told Mama I didn’t know a thing. And this is the truth, I shook my head so hard, I thought it was going to roll off.”

  Grandma closed her eyes; a tear trickled down one side of her face. She squeezed her eyes tighter, trying to stop anymore tears from escaping. Clearly, this was a painful memory that she was determined to share. So this time, I patted Grandma’s hand and encouraged her to finish the story by saying, “I’m listening, Grandma, please go on.”

  Grandma sat up in her bed, wiping the single tear from her face. “About a week later, Maggie was found dead.”

  I gasped. Then, I covered my mouth. My body trembled at the thought of my aunt’s untimely death.

  Grandma kept going with the story. “Apparently, she’d drowned in the lake not far from our house. Everybody thought it was an accident, but I knew the truth, and it still haunts me to this day.” Grandma raised her right hand and dropped it back down to her side like it weighed a hundred pounds.

  “Grandma, are you saying that your sister committed suicide?” I asked, steadying my voice. I was still trembling from the impact of her words.